Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet today announced the launch of nonstop service between Toronto, Canada and New Orleans.

The new nonstop to New Orleans will begin November 1, 2010 on a Boeing 737-700 with 136 seats in a single class of service configuration. The seasonal service will operate 4 times per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday through May 8, 2011. The flight will depart Toronto at 9:30am and arrive in New Orleans at 11:30am with a 12:15pm departure from New Orleans and 3:55pm arrival in Toronto.

The WestJet announcement represents a route previously served by Air Canada. That service was lost after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The Airport, the City Administration, tourism and business leaders have ongoing dialogue with airlines now serving our market as well as with airlines who could potentially serve our market, to present data supporting the message that New Orleans is a world-class city with a growing demand for air service.

"We are pleased to announce this new service to Toronto”, said Iftikhar Ahmad, Armstrong International Director of Aviation. "WestJet is a growing airline. We congratulate them on their 14thyear of business and look forward to acquiring additional WestJet service in the future.”

Mayor Mitch Landrieu stated, "International routes like this one, which existed before Hurricane Katrina, are vital if we are to remain a world class travel destination. This announcement, coupled with the addition of the Southwest Airlines nonstop to Los Angeles announced recently, speaks volumes about the airlines' confidence in our market, so I am pleased that WestJet will be launching international service between Toronto and New Orleans this fall. We will continue to work with any and every airline possible to build expanded service at Armstrong International Airport. ”

WestJet was founded in 1996 by a team of Calgary entrepreneurs. Airline operations commenced with service to five cities in Western Canada on February 29, 1996. For flight information and reservations, visit http://www.westjet.com/ or call Westjet at 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET) Canada and U.S.